Washington — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, on Wednesday offered an amendment to the budget to further protect the finest among us, our veterans. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) was the lead co-sponsor.

The amendment paves the way for a bill developed in the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that would make certain that inspectors general share crucial information with Congress in an appropriate way. The goal is that no families have to suffer tragedies like those endured by Wisconsin families whose loved ones died as a result of substandard care at the Tomah VA Medical Center.

Senator Johnson said, “I appreciate Senator Baldwin joining me on this important amendment for our veterans. As chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I am happy to use the committee to advance a bill that contains needed reforms. Our veterans deserve no less."

Senator Baldwin said, “I believe it’s important for Congress to work together in a bipartisan way to improve both transparency at the VA Office of Inspector General and oversight at the Department of Veterans Affairs. I look forward to continuing my work to make sure inspector general reports are available to the public and submitted directly to relevant Congressional oversight committees.”

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